Hotel Review: Olive Boutique Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Check-in: The reception desk at Olive Boutique Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

BY MARK CHESNUT


During my recent trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, I was a guest at the island's newest luxury hotel: The Olive Boutique Hotel. Here is my review of the experience. 


THE ARRIVAL: Even though I was just steps away from Condado Beach, I felt like I’d left the bustling Condado district as soon as I stepped into the small lobby of the Olive Boutique Hotel, which opened in May 2012. Tranquil and tastefully decorated, the reception area feels like the living room of a wealthy friend, with comfy couches and a coffee table strewn with decorative items (the giant hourglass caught my eye). One wall is covered with large, beautifully framed photographs made by the owners in various parts of the Mediterranean, a theme that runs throughout the hotel. (The fact that a fashion photo shoot was taking place on the day of our departure is proof of the property's allure.)

Latin American Meetings & Events Conference Set for Sao Paulo

Meet and greet: The Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel will host the Latin American Meetings and Events Conference in August. 

A lot of people involved with organizing meetings in South America will be heading to São Paulo, Brazil, this year, when the 2012 Latin American Meetings and Events Conference (LAMEC) takes place on August 17 at the Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel and Convention Center. 


In 2009 and 2010 MPI Brazil and the main office of Meeting Professionals International partnered with industry organizations in Brazil to host the Strategic Meetings and Events Conference – Latin America, attracting a combined 800 attendees. According to organizers, the growth of the business meeting and event industry in Brazil and Latin America has led to further growth for the Latin America Meetings & Events Conference (LAMEC).


Now entering its second year, LAMEC attracted more than 400 attendees in its last edition. 


“LAMEC has quickly become the mainstay for our region’s meeting and event professionals to learn new technologies and techniques, develop best practices and conduct business,” said Sidney Alonso, MPI Brazil Chapter president. “It is an important time for our meeting and event community, as we join forces with our global industry partners and welcome the world to global events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.”


This year, LAMEC will present a variety of tools and trends for the meetings and events industry — including regional events in Brazil and new audiovisual technologies.


LAMEC is planned and organized locally in Sao Paulo under the leadership of the MPI Brazil Chapter using Imaginadora, a Brazilian marketing and intelligence events company. MPI headquarters provides powerful professional development and educational elements ensuring the educational experience surpasses global standards.


“Latin America’s economic growth combined with the accelerated interest in the region as a meeting and events destination creates many significant opportunities,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI president and CEO. “MPI is committed to delivering innovative educational and content platforms that encourage the development of excellence and business resource to help ensure regional and industry-wide success.”


More information about LAMEC is available online at http://www.mpibr.org/


MORE TRAVEL NEWS & TIPS
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VIDEO: How to Save Money Using Latin America Airline Passes

BY MARK CHESNUT


If you're lucky enough to be flying among multiple destinations in Latin America, one of the most economical ways to do so may be using an air pass, through which various airlines offer big discounts on Mexico flights and South America flights to foreign visitors. 


In this exclusive VIDEO — the latest episode of LatinFlyer's Latin America Travel Update — I explain the ins and outs of several of the top air pass programs in Latin America, from carriers including Aeromexico (which operates a program for Skyteam), Gol Airlines, LAN Airlines and TAM Brazilian Airlines. 

VIDEO HOTEL REVIEW: Rio Othon Palace, Rio de Janeiro

The Rio Othon Palace is one of the tallest buildings on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

BY MARK CHESNUT


During a recent visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to check out the revamped Maracanã Stadium and and other venues and upgrades related to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, I stayed at the Rio Othon Palace, one of the tallest hotels on Copacabana Beach. In this hotel review and VIDEO, I show what I liked best.



THE STYLE: Located on a beachfront stretch of the legendary neighborhood called Copacabana, the 572-room Rio Othon Palace is one of the largest hotels on the beach, with full service and an unobtrusive style. One of the selling points is the location; the hotel is not far from Ipanema, and is just steps away from the new Museu de Son y Imagem (Museum of Sound and Image), which opens in 2013. 

FLIGHT REVIEW: Aeromexico Economy Class (Boeing 737-800)

Now boarding: The Aeromexico Boeing 737-800 that took me to Mexico City.

BY MARK CHESNUT


A recent Mexico trip took me on back-to-back Aeromexico flights in the economy class cabin (which is not at all uncommon for me) — one domestic route and one international. Here’s my comparison of the experience on both Mexico flights, and how the change of planes went in Mexico City. 


THE FLIGHTS: Cancun – Mexico City (2 hours, 5 minutes) and Mexico City – New York JFK (4 hours, 20 minutes)


THE DEPARTURE (Cancun International Airport): Since I arrived more than two hours early for a domestic flight, there was next to no line and the airport check-in was swift. As a massive tourism hub, the Cancun airport can get rather hectic at times, but security lines were relatively fast as well (and I didn’t have to take off my shoes). 

People, Planet and Profits: Balancing Tourism with Sustainability

Inkaterra Machu Picchu. Inkaterra won the Tourism for Tomorrow Award this year.

BY MARK CHESNUT


I recently wrapped up covering the Americas Summit, a global tourism conference organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council that took place at the Grand Velas Resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya. This is one of my reports from the event. 


It is more than possible to combine sustainable practices with tourism growth — it’s actually crucial in order to ensure continued success in the long run, according to an expert travel industry panel presentation called “Succeeding with Sustainability.”

Is Less Regulation the Key to Airline Growth in Latin America?

Making connections: El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia. Photo: © Mark Chesnut

BY MARK CHESNUT


I recently wrapped up covering the Americas Summit, a major conference organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council that took place at the Grand Velas Resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya. This is one of my reports from the event. 


Connectivity is key to further growth in the travel and tourism segments, and “open skies” — the international policy concept that liberalizes rules and regulations — is an important tool for achieving this goal, according to delegates speaking during a session called “Opening Skies Means Opening Up for Business.”

Travel and Tourism Could Create 5 Million New Jobs: Mexico President Calderon

The Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort, near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, is the setting for the Americas Summit, hosted by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

BY MARK CHESNUT

I'm currently covering the Americas Summit, a major conference organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council. This is my first report from the event. 


Travel and Tourism could create an additional five million new jobs worldwide in just a few years — that was the message driven home in a presentation today by Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa and David Scowsill, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). 


The comments were made during The Presidential Perspective and T20 Update sessions at the Americas Summit, a WTTC event taking place this week at the luxurious Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort, near Playa del Carmen in Mexico's Riviera Maya region. 

HOTEL REVIEW: Holiday Inn Fortaleza, Brazil

BY RAMSEY QUBEIN



Arrival Experience: The beachfront Holiday Inn Fortaleza is the only major full-service U.S.-branded hotel in this Brazilian city, and as a result commands a great deal of respect from locals and visitors alike. Its location just across the road from Iracema beach gives business travelers something to look forward to after meetings, but it also propels this Brazil hotel to the top of the charts for leisure guests as well. A bright, tiled lobby features a conversation area to the left, and a friendly reception desk directly in front of the revolving door. Modern art is sprinkled throughout the space, but many guests immediately divert their attention to the crashing waves visible through the glass windows.